Phase Coupler

[Carson]

While I grew up in a a household with some X10 modules, I had never really gotten into the nuts and bolt of device layout until very recently, when I installed some modules in my own home, so please forgive my novice ignorance.

I am not sure where I'd heard/read that you may need a phase coupler to pass signals to devices in seperate phases and that you could test this by seeing if a receiver on a different phase from a controller could only be activated/deactivated when the dryer is running. At any rate, I tested to see if I could activate a module across phases by running the dryer and sending a signal. This did not work.

I guess my question is: how reliable a diagnostic tool is a clothes dryer for determining if a phase couple could solve your off-phase module issues? Could this indicate that a couple-repeater would be more appropriate in this application?

My house is a 1200 SQFT ranch, with a full basement effectively making it 2400 SQFT, plus attached garage. I have also heard that repeaters generally aren't required in houses of its size. I'd appreciate any insights that anyone can offer.

Thanks,
Carson

 

[Treetop]

I'd heard/read that you may need a phase coupler to pass signals to devices in seperate phases and that you could test this by seeing if a receiver on a different phase from a controller could only be activated/deactivated when the dryer is running.

Damn...called out...now E will know I've been strayin' :unsure: I suggested that this be tried just the other day at remotecentral, as the person didn't give enough info about his problem to determine if it was a phase problem or other...

As a diagnostic tool, running the dryer is NOT reliable. The reason I suggested it... when the dryer is running, the two 110v phases are connected (via electricty through the 220v outlet/dryer). Sometimes, you can get devices to respond if they are on another phase... Sometimes not. Reason?... Im gonna guess noise, though I dont know the answer to that one.

Everything I stated above is hearsay (ie. read about in other posts a long time ago)... I know others here can give a more accurate and more detailed description on the dryer vs. phase dilemma.

Regarding a repeator... I use a Plug-in SignaLinc Coupler/Repeator in my 1100 sq ft townhouse, and it works wonders (I got it, as we plan on buying a house soon, and I dont know how big it will be ... though I have guess based on my budget :blink: ) You will need a phase coupler at somepoint (w/ or w/o the repeating funtion) as your x10 system grows.

Also, Welcome to Cocoontech!

Treetop

Edit: This is a great bit of info on this issue: http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showto...309&hl=repeator

Its been so long since I thought about it, all I can vaguely remember is that the combo unit was worth the extra pennies.... so far it has been.

 

[Skibum]

HCA-02


Essential equipment!

 

[electron]

The dryer method rarely works for most people, so I wouldn't count on that. I have the same type/size house you have (split ranch, 1300sqft upstairs, unfinished basement downstairs), and a coupler is required for sure.

I have the HCA02 myself too, but I bought it several years ago when there weren't many other affordable devices on the market. It looks like there are some better couplers out there now, but some are more expensive too, so you will have to decide how much you want to spend, and how serious you are about home automation. Good luck!

 

[ericvic]

I agree about the HCA02-10E. I think of it as the foundation of the X-10 system. If you get one of these you can pretty much forget about weak signals. You can still get noise but I don't have any filters in my house and everything is working fine since I added the HCA02-10E.

Eric

 

[Rupp]

hca02-10e,
Here as well.

http://www.worthdist.com/Leviton/hca02-10e.htm

 

[Carson]

Thanks to all who gave their feedback and provided links. For the immediate future, it looks like my components will all be on the same phase (how lucky). However as my automation projects expand to include other parts of the house (ones with rooms with outlets on different phases), this information will provide itself to be quite valuable.

Thanks,
Carson

 

[Carson]

On a related note, I was wondering if anyone could confirm or deny the myth that circuits on opposite sides of the panel are on different phases. By this logic, it appears that I can control devices, in my house, across phases on certain circuits, but not others.

Thanks,
Carson

 

[Skibum]

That is NOT true... fuses in line ALTERNATE legs. Otherwise 220v breakers would not work.